U.S. patent number 6,059,675 [Application Number 08/899,282] was granted by the patent office on 2000-05-09 for baseball batting system for abating accidental release of a bat from a player's hand following a swing.
Invention is credited to Daniel E. Finn.
United States Patent |
6,059,675 |
Finn |
May 9, 2000 |
Baseball batting system for abating accidental release of a bat
from a player's hand following a swing
Abstract
A new and improved baseball batting system for abating
accidental release of a bat from a player's hand following a swing
is provided. An attachment member includes a ring which has an
interior aperture adapted to be located on the gripping area end of
a bat adjacent to the knob. The ring has a short radial projection
which extends outwardly therefrom and a long axial projection which
extends parallel with the axis of the bat as an extension of the
short projection remote from the ring. This configuration defines a
region between the bat and the short and long projections for the
receipt of a batter's hands.
Inventors: |
Finn; Daniel E. (Tarpon
Springs, FL) |
Family
ID: |
25410726 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/899,282 |
Filed: |
July 23, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/568;
473/457 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
59/51 (20151001); A63B 59/52 (20151001); A63B
59/50 (20151001); A63B 60/06 (20151001); A63B
2102/18 (20151001); A63B 60/08 (20151001); A63B
60/14 (20151001); A63B 60/10 (20151001); A63B
60/12 (20151001) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
59/06 (20060101); A63B 59/00 (20060101); A63B
059/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;473/568,206,457 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Graham; Mark S.
Claims
What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States is as follows:
1. A baseball batting system for abating accidental release of a
bat from a player's hand following a swing, comprising, in
combination:
a bat having a far end and a near end, the bat having a generally
cylindrical hitting area adjacent to the far end, the hitting area
having a diameter of between about two and three inches, the bat
having a generally cylindrical gripping area adjacent to the near
end with a diameter of between about 3/4 inch and 11/4 inch, the
bat having a tapering transition zone between the far and near
ends, the bat also having a knob of a short axial length at the
near end, the knob having a diameter between about 13/4 and 21/4
inches; and
an attachment member fabricated of a one piece construction from an
elastomeric material, the attachment member having a ring with an
inner diameter of between about 3/4 inch and 11/4 inches and an
outer diameter of between about 1 and 11/2 inches, the attachment
member having a radially extending short planar projection
extending outwardly therefrom for a distance of between about 1.5
and 3.0 inches with a long planar projection extending parallel
with the axis of the bat as an extension of the end of the short
projection remote from the ring, the long projection extending for
a distance of between about 3.0 and 4.0 inches, the ring adapted to
be stretched over the knob of the bat and positioned around the
gripping area adjacent to the knob, in an operative orientation a
user positioning his hands around the gripping area of the bat with
the ulnar aspect of his lower hand resting against the ring and
short projection and the dorsum and fingers of his lower hand
resting adjacent the long projection, the long and short
projections precluding separation of the bat and attachment member
from the batter's lower hand in the event of inadvertent release of
the bat by the batter.
2. A baseball batting system for abating accidental release of a
bat from a player's hand following a swing, the system being
adapted for use in association with a bat having a far end and a
near end, the bat having a hitting area adjacent to the far end,
the bat having a gripping area adjacent to the near end, the bat
also having a knob of a short axial length at the near end, the
system comprising, in combination:
an attachment member fabricated of a one piece construction from an
elastomeric material, the attachment member having a ring with an
inner diameter of between about 3/4 inch and 11/4 inches and an
outer diameter of between about 1 and 11/2 inches, the attachment
member having a radially extending short planar projection
extending outwardly therefrom for a distance of between about 1.5
and 3.0 inches with a long planar projection extending parallel
with the axis of the bat as an extension of the end of the short
projection remote from the ring, the long projection extending for
a distance of between about 3.0 and 4.0 inches, the ring adapted to
be stretched over the knob of the bat and positioned around the
gripping area adjacent to the knob, in an operative orientation a
user positioning his hands around the gripping area of the bat with
the ulnar aspect of his lower hand resting against the ring and
short projection and the dorsum and fingers of his lower hand
resting adjacent the long projection, the long and short
projections precluding separation of the bat and attachment member
from the batter's lower hand in the event of inadvertent release of
the bat by the batter.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a baseball batting system for
abating accidental release of a bat from a player's hand following
a swing and more particularly pertains to preventing injuries to
players and spectators from inadvertently released bats.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of baseball bat grip accessories is known in the prior art.
More specifically, baseball bat grip accessories heretofore devised
and utilized for the purpose of enhancing a user's grip on a bat
are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious
structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs
encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for
the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,084,938 to Kapanowski discloses
a safety handgrip.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,428 to Bartkowicz discloses a rotating grip for
a baseball bat.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,984,486 to Jones discloses a slip-proof sleeve for
a baseball bat handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,885 to Heo discloses a terry cloth golf club
grip.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective
and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a
baseball batting system for abating accidental release of a bat
from a player's hand following a swing preventing injuries to
players and spectators from inadvertently released bats.
In this respect, the baseball batting system for abating accidental
release of a bat from a player's hand following a swing according
to the present invention substantially departs from the
conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so
provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of
preventing injuries to players and spectators from inadvertently
released bats.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing
need for a new and improved baseball batting system for abating
accidental release of a bat from a player's hand following a swing
which can be used for preventing injuries to players and spectators
from inadvertently released bats. In this regard, the present
invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of baseball bat grip accessories now present in the prior
art, the present invention provides an improved baseball batting
system for abating accidental release of a bat from a player's hand
following a swing. As such, the general purpose of the present
invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail,
is to provide a new and improved baseball batting system for
abating accidental release of a bat from a player's hand following
a swing and method which has all the advantages of the prior art
and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a new
and improved baseball batting system for abating accidental release
of a bat from a player's hand following a swing. In its broadest
context, the system consists of a baseball bat and an attachment
member. The bat has a far end, a near end and a generally
cylindrical hitting area adjacent to the far end. The hitting area
has a diameter of between about two and three inches. The bat has a
generally cylindrical gripping area adjacent to the near end with a
diameter of between about 3/4 inch and 11/4 inch. The bat has a
tapering transition zone between the far and near ends. The bat
also has a knob of a short axial length at the near end. The knob
has a diameter between about 13/4 and 21/4 inches. An attachment
member is fabricated of a one piece construction from an
elastomeric material. The attachment member has a ring with an
inner diameter of between about 3/4 inch and 11/4 inches and an
outer diameter of between about 1 and 11/2 inches. The attachment
member has a radially extending short planar projection extending
outwardly therefrom for a distance of between about 1.5 and 3.0
inches. A long planar projection extends parallel with the axis of
the bat as an extension of the end of the short projection remote
from the ring. The long projection extends for a distance of
between about 3.0 and 4.0 inches. The ring is adapted to be
stretched over the knob of the bat and positioned around the
gripping area adjacent to the knob. In an operative orientation a
user positions his hands around the gripping area of the bat with
the ulnar aspect of his lower hand resting against the ring and
short projection and the dorsum and fingers of his lower hand
resting adjacent the long projection. The long and short
projections preclude separation of the bat and attachment member
from the batter's lower hand in the event of inadvertent release of
the bat by the batter. A first alternate embodiment of the system
includes a split positioned in the ring of the attachment member at
a location diametrically opposed from the short projection of the
ring. A second alternate embodiment of the system includes a split
positioned in the ring of the attachment member at a location
diametrically opposed from the short projection of the ring and
also includes pile type fastening means on the exterior surface of
the ring adjacent the split. A strap with pile type fastening means
is affixed to the exterior surface of the ring adjacent the split.
The pile type fastening means of the strap and ring are couplable
to tightly secure the ring around the gripping area of a bat.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
There are, of course, additional features of the invention that
will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject
matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved baseball batting system for abating accidental release
of a bat from a player's hand following a swing which has all the
advantages of the prior art baseball bat grip accessories and none
of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved baseball batting system for abating accidental release of
a bat from a player's hand following a swing which may be easily
and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved baseball batting system for abating accidental release
of a bat from a player's hand following a swing which is of durable
and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved baseball batting system for abating accidental release
of a bat from a player's hand following a swing which is
susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both
materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of
low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a
baseball batting system for abating accidental release of a bat
from a player's hand following a swing economically available to
the buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved baseball batting system for abating accidental
release of a bat from a player's hand following a swing for
preventing injuries to players and spectators from inadvertently
released bats.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved baseball batting system for abating accidental release
of a bat from a player's hand following a swing. An attachment
member is included in the present invention. The attachment member
includes a ring which has an interior aperture adapted to be
located on the handle end of a bat adjacent to the knob. The ring
has a short radial projection which extends outwardly therefrom and
a long axial projection which extends parallel with the axis of the
bat as an extension of the short projection remote from the ring.
This configuration defines a region between the bat and the short
and long projections for the receipt of a batter's hands.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming
a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the
invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the
baseball batting system for abating accidental release of a bat
from a player's hand following a swing constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 discloses a side perspective view of the attachment member
illustrating the positioning of the short and long projections
relative to
the gripping area of the baseball bat.
FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of the attachment
member.
FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of the attachment
member.
FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the attachment
member.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along
section line 6--6 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is top perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of
the attachment member illustrating the split.
FIG. 8 is top perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of
the attachment member illustrating the split, strap and pile
fasteners.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the
various Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIG. 1
thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved baseball
batting system for abating accidental release of a bat from a
player's hand following a swing embodying the principles and
concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the
reference number 10 will be described.
Specifically, it will be noted in the various Figures that the
device 10 relates to a baseball batting system for abating
accidental release of a bat from a player's hand following a swing.
In its broadest context, the system 10 consists of a baseball bat
12 and an attachment member 14. Such components are individually
configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to
attain the desired objective.
The bat 12 is fabricated of aluminum in the preferred embodiment.
The bat is fabricated of wood in alternate embodiments. The bat has
a far end 16, a near end 18 and a generally cylindrical hitting
area 20 adjacent to the far end. The hitting area has a diameter of
between about two and three inches. The bat has a generally
cylindrical gripping area 22 adjacent to the near end. The gripping
area is also commonly referred to as the handle of the bat. The
diameter of the gripping area is between about 3/4 inch and 11/4
inch. The bat has a tapering transition zone between the far and
near ends. The bat also has a knob 15 of a short axial length at
the near end. The knob has a diameter between about 13/4 and 21/4
inches. In alternate embodiments of the system a bat is not
included. In such embodiments the attachment is adapted for use in
association with conventional baseball bats. Note FIGS. 1-3.
An attachment member 14 is fabricated of a one piece construction
from an elastomeric material. In the preferred embodiment the
attachment member is fabricated of semirigid rubber. In alternate
embodiments the attachment member is fabricated of semirigid
styrofoam, plastic or sponge material. The semirigid construction
of the attachment member permits it to serve the function of
abating inadvertent release of a bat during a swing while at the
same time permitting enough flexibility to prevent injury to a
user's hand from excessive twisting. If excessive force is applied
to the attachment member it will bend thereby disengaging the bat
from the user's hand. In this instance the system will have served
it's function of minimizing the distance that the bat will travel
after accidental release by the batter. Note FIGS. 2-6.
The attachment member 14 has a ring 24 with an inner diameter of
between about 3/4 inch and 11/4 inches and an outer diameter of
between about 1 and 11/2 inches. FIG. 4 illustrates the boundaries
of the inner diameter 25 and the outer diameter 27 of the ring. The
ring has a diameter of about 1/4 inch. The attachment member has a
radially extending short planar projection 26 extending outwardly
therefrom for a distance of between about 1.5 and 3.0 inches. The
short planar projection is shaped in a slightly U-shaped
orientation to contour to the shape of the ulnar aspect of a user's
hand. Note FIGS. 2 and 6.
A long planar projection 28 extends parallel with the axis of the
bat as an extension of the end of the short projection remote from
the ring. The long projection extends for a distance of between
about 3.0 and 4.0 inches. The width of the long projection is
between about 3/4 inch and 7/8 inch. In alternate embodiments of
the system the short and long projections are fabricated in a
cylindrical shape. The ring is adapted to be stretched over the
knob of the bat and positioned around the gripping area adjacent to
the knob. Alternate embodiments of the system which include
modifications to the ring are described below. Note FIGS. 2, 3 and
6.
A baseball player 19 is illustrated in FIG. 1. In an operative
orientation a player positions his hands around the gripping area
of the bat with his lower hand 21 above the knob and his upper hand
23 above the lower hand. More specifically, the ulnar aspect of the
user's lower hand rests against the ring and short projection and
the dorsum and fingers of his lower hand rest adjacent the long
projection. As previously mentioned, the long and short projections
resist separation of the bat and attachment member from the
batter's lower hand in the event of inadvertent release of the bat
by the batter. Note FIG. 1.
A first alternate embodiment 30 of the system includes a split 34
positioned in the ring 32 of the attachment member at a location
diametrically opposed from the short projection of the ring. This
embodiment allows opening of the ring thereby making it easier for
a user to position the ring around the gripping area of the bat.
Note FIG. 7.
A second alternate embodiment 36 of the system includes a split 40
positioned in the ring 38 of the attachment member at a location
diametrically opposed from the short projection of the ring. The
boundaries of the inner diameter 43 and outer diameter 41 are
indicated. This embodiment also includes pile type fastening means
on the exterior surface 42 of the ring adjacent the split. A strap
44 with pile type fastening means is affixed to the exterior
surface of the ring adjacent the split. The pile type fastening
means of the strap 46 and ring 42 are couplable to tightly secure
the ring around the gripping area of a bat. This embodiment
minimizes sliding of the attachment while also making it easier for
a user to position the ring around the gripping area of the bat.
Note FIG. 8.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention,
the same should be apparent from the above description.
Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage
and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modification
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modification and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *